Kathy Yerex (she/her) is a full-time associate professor at the School of Dental Hygiene, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba. After graduating from the School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Manitoba in 2004, Kathy made service to the dental hygiene profession integral to her career. Actively involved with the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association (MDHA) since 2004, she has served as president and currently is a member of the Mentorship Committee. Additionally, Kathy serves on the board of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) while volunteering for the College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba (CDHM). Her career is shaped by a dedication to clinical practice, health promotion, and education within the dental hygiene profession. She is committed to opportunities for personal growth and advancements in the field. Kathy's research focuses on the improvement of oral health, particularly the oral microbiome's relationship with oral disease in Canadian Indigenous children, and she is currently accepting graduate students.